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HiFiMan Goldenwave SERENADE Jr. Review: Affordable R2R DAC/Amp with Organic SoundThis review covers the HiFiMan Goldenwave SERENADE Jr., an affordable R2R DAC/Amp combo. It highlights its design, features like Roon Ready and Tidal Connect, sound impressions, headphone amp performance, and comparisons with the original Serenade and FiiO K15. The reviewer emphasizes its organic and natural sound signature, making it a compelling option for audiophiles seeking a fun and engaging listening experience.
1. 🎧 HiFiMan Goldenwave SERENADE Jr.: Design, Build Quality, and Simplified UI
- ✅ The Serenade Jr. shares the same case and impressive build quality as the original Serenade.
- ✅ Features an aluminum case with a red finish.
- ✅ Simple front panel with headphone outputs and a monochrome display.
- ✅ Simplified UI with input/output selection and brightness control.
- ⚠️ Lacks digital filters, sound color options, gain settings, or preamp settings.
00:22 - 01:47
1. 🎧 HiFiMan Goldenwave SERENADE Jr.: Design, Build Quality, and Simplified UI
- ✅ The Serenade Jr. shares the same case and impressive build quality as the original Serenade.
- ✅ Features an aluminum case with a red finish.
- ✅ Simple front panel with headphone outputs and a monochrome display.
- ✅ Simplified UI with input/output selection and brightness control.
- ⚠️ Lacks digital filters, sound color options, gain settings, or preamp settings.
01:48 - 02:45
2. I/O Ports and Connectivity: Standalone DAC & Streamer Capabilities
- ✅ Analog inputs from the original Serenade are removed.
- ✅ Can be used as a standalone DAC or DAC/preamp combo via RCA and XLR outputs.
- ✅ Digital inputs include USB, coaxial, optical, and Ethernet.
- ✅ Ethernet port unlocks wired streamer functionality.
02:46 - 04:15
3. ⚙️ Internal Tech: R2R Ladder DAC, Hybrid Output Stage, and Class A Headphone Amplifier
- ✅ Uses an R2R ladder DAC with two Himalaya LE D modules developed by HiFiMan.
- ✅ Hybrid output stage with discrete components and FAT operational amplifiers.
- ✅ No coupling capacitors in the signal path.
- ✅ Headphone amplifier stage uses three power transistors per module, fully balanced and biased into class A operation.
- ✅ Delivers up to three watts of power per channel via balanced outputs.
- ✅ Powered by a custom 50-watt linear transformer.
04:16 - 05:58
4. 🌐 Roon Ready & Tidal Connect: Seamless Streaming Capabilities
- ✅ Supports Roon endpoint functionality for direct streaming from a Roon server.
- ✅ Tidal Connect enabled for lossless music streaming via Ethernet.
- ✅ Ethernet connection provides the purest sound compared to USB, coaxial, and optical.
05:59 - 09:12
5. 🎵 Sound Impressions: Comparing Serenade Jr. to Serenade and FiiO K15
- ✅ Minor differences in sound between Serenade Jr. and original Serenade, especially as DAC only units.
- ✅ Slightly bigger difference when used as DAC and headphone amplifiers.
- ✅ Serenade and Serenade Junior sound very similar, with a minor difference in resolution.
- ✅ Original Serenade has slightly clearer sound and stronger bass.
- ✅ Serenade Jr. is swifter, lighter, and more ethereal sounding.
09:13 - 12:20
6. 🎼 Tonality: Organic and Natural Sound Signature
- ✅ Organic and natural sounding all-in-one combo.
- ✅ Excels in the mid-range with more emotion and warmth.
- ✅ Mid-bass is slightly elevated.
- ✅ Tonal balance and timbre are similar to the original Serenade.
- ✅ Music doesn't feel forced or aggressive, and trebles are not harsh.
- ✅ Draws full attention and highlights the beautiful parts of the music.
12:21 - 14:46
7. 🎧 Headphone Amplifier Performance: Pairing with HiFiMan Headphones
- ✅ Tonality is well-suited for HiFiMan headphones, adding life and removing treble excess.
- ✅ Infuses warmth and balances HiFiMan headphones into better sounding versions of themselves.
- ✅ Easily drove all headphones, including Susvara OG, without reaching upper power limits.
- ✅ Bass didn't lose definition or tightness, and distortion never occurred even at high volumes.
- ✅ Bass was playful with lots of inner texture in the mid-range.
14:47 - 16:01
8. 🔊 Stereo Setup Performance: Smooth, Relaxed, and Engaging Sound
- ✅ Smooth, relaxed, and easygoing sound combined with an organic presentation.
- ✅ Sounded better than a FiiO K13, with more power and weight.
- ✅ Similar in tonality and technical performance to the Liva micro DAC.
- ✅ Universal, functioning as a DAC, DAC/preamp, or DAC/headphone amplifier with a streamer inside.
16:02 - 17:41
9. 🆚 Comparison with FiiO K15: Key Differences and Sound Profile
- ✅ FiiO K15 is Roon enabled but lacks Tidal Connect.
- ✅ Provides the same 3 watts per channel but uses a switching mode power supply instead of a linear transformer.
- ✅ Uses two AKM AK-4497 D/A chips instead of an R2R DAC.
- ✅ Sound is sharper and more detailed on the K15, especially on the micro scale.
- ✅ Serenade Jr. trades resolution for a stronger kick in the bass and a denser mid-range.
17:42 - 18:46
10. 💰 Wrapping Up: Value and Final Thoughts on the Serenade Jr.
- ✅ Serenade Jr. feels like an overachiever with many features and never disappointing sound.
- ✅ Tremendous value, especially for Tidal users.
- ✅ Hard to complain about anything except for the lack of a line-level input.